Biometric detection system and biometric detection method

Abstract

To provide a biometric detection system and method that suppress false alarms and offer high usability. [Solution] A biodetection system 2 for detecting a living organism H inside the passenger compartment 10 of a vehicle 1 comprises a biodetection unit 3 for detecting a living organism H inside the passenger compartment 10, an alarm unit 5 that emits an alarm when the biodetection unit 3 detects a living organism H, and a door detection unit 4 for detecting the closing operation of the door 11 of the vehicle 1. The system is configured such that, within a predetermined time ΔT from the time T1 when the door detection unit 4 detects the closing operation, the alarm unit 5 will not emit an alarm even if a living organism H is detected.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a living body detection system and a living body detection method.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In recent years, incidents where infants are left behind in the cabins of private cars, shuttle buses and the like, regardless of intent or negligence, have become a major problem. Accordingly, abandonment monitoring systems for monitoring the abandonment of infants in vehicle cabins have begun to be widely used, and in particular, installation of such systems has been made mandatory for shuttle buses.

[0003] Most of the existing abandonment monitoring systems operate in conjunction with actions that occur when a user (driver) leaves the vehicle, such as opening and closing of doors, locking, and the like. When an infant is detected inside the vehicle, the system is configured to notify the user and surrounding people that an infant has been left behind in the vehicle cabin by issuing an alarm, generating sound using the vehicle's horn or the like, or issuing a notification by light emission using the vehicle's lights (headlights, taillights, direction indicator lights, room lights, etc.).

[0004] However, for example, luggage in the vehicle cabin may vibrate due to residual vibration immediately after the vehicle stops or impact from opening and closing the door, and the vibration may continue for a while after the door is closed. In such a case, if the detection of an infant is started immediately after the door is closed triggered by the opening and closing of the door, there is a risk that a vibrating non-living object will be erroneously detected as an infant. As a result, an alarm is issued even in a situation where no infant has been left behind, which may annoy the user or cause a false alarm to surrounding people. Therefore, usability (convenience) is poor.

[0005] To address such a problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an abandonment detection system that detects vehicle vibration using a vibration sensor, and performs living body detection when the vehicle vibration is equal to or less than a threshold value, that is, in a state where the vehicle vibration has sufficiently subsided.

[0006] However, the configuration in Patent Document 1 requires a vibration sensor, which increases the number of components and makes the device more complex. Furthermore, vehicle vibrations and vibrations of non-living objects inside the vehicle are not always synchronized, and non-living objects may vibrate even when the vehicle is not. Therefore, even with Patent Document 1, there is a risk that false alarms cannot be sufficiently suppressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-119923 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a biometric detection system and biometric detection method that can effectively suppress false alarms and have excellent usability (convenience). [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] These objectives are achieved by the present invention as described in (1) and (2) below.

[0010] (1) A biometric detection system for detecting living organisms inside a vehicle, A biodetection unit for detecting the living body inside the vehicle interior, An alarm unit that emits an alarm when the biological detection unit detects the biological body, It has a door detection unit that detects the closing operation of the vehicle's door, A biological detection system characterized in that, within a predetermined time period from the time the door detection unit detects the closing operation, the alarm unit does not issue an alarm even if a biological body is detected.

[0011] (2) A method for detecting living organisms inside a vehicle, A method for detecting a living being, characterized in that no alarm is triggered even if a living being is detected within a predetermined time period from the time when the closing action of the vehicle door is detected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the bio-detection system of the present invention, the alarm unit does not emit an alarm even if a living being is detected, for a predetermined period of time from the time the closing of a door is detected. With this configuration, vibrations from non-living beings can be sufficiently reduced before the predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, it becomes difficult to mistakenly detect non-living beings as living beings, and false alarms can be effectively suppressed. As a result, the bio-detection system becomes highly user-friendly.

[0013] Similarly, in the biological detection method of the present invention, the alarm unit will not emit an alarm even if a living being is detected within a predetermined time period from the time the closing operation of the door is detected. With this method, vibrations from non-living beings can be sufficiently reduced before the predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, it becomes difficult to mistakenly detect non-living beings as living beings, and false alarms can be effectively suppressed. As a result, the biological detection method becomes highly user-friendly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This figure shows a vehicle equipped with a biometric detection system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a biometric detection system. [Figure 3] This graph shows an example of the level of biodetection when no living organism is present. [Figure 4] This graph shows an example of the biodetection level when a living organism is present. [Figure 5] This diagram shows luggage placed on the rear seats of a vehicle. [Figure 6] This graph illustrates the problems with conventional methods. [Figure 7] This graph illustrates the control method for a biometric detection system. [Figure 8]This is a flowchart showing a living body detection method using a living body detection system. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart for explaining a living body detection method of a living body detection system according to the second embodiment. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, the living body detection system and the living body detection method of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0016] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle provided with a living body detection system according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the living body detection system. Figure 3 is a graph showing an example of the living body detection level when no living body is present. Figure 4 is a graph showing an example of the living body detection level when a living body is present. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a state where luggage is placed on the rear seat of the vehicle. Figure 6 is a graph for explaining the problems of the prior art. Figure 7 is a graph for explaining the control method of the living body detection system. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a living body detection method using the living body detection system.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, a vehicle 1 is equipped with a living body detection system 2 that detects a living body H in a vehicle compartment 10. The living body detection system 2 is suitably used as a left-behind prevention system for detecting a living body H left behind in the vehicle compartment 10, particularly an infant. This can effectively reduce the risk of the living body H being exposed to danger due to the harsh environment inside the vehicle compartment 10. However, the living body H to be detected is not limited to infants, and may be, for example, humans other than infants, or pet animals such as dogs and cats. Further, the application of the living body detection system 2 is not limited to the left-behind prevention system, and it can also be used as a gesture sensor for detecting a user's motion (gesture), for example. The vehicle 1 is not particularly limited, but is typically a passenger car such as a light motor vehicle, a small-sized car, a standard-sized car, or a medium or large-sized car. However, the vehicle 1 is not limited to passenger cars, and may be, for example, a train, an airplane, a ship, or the like.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the living body detection system 2 is constructed of a living body detection unit 3 that detects the living body H in the vehicle compartment 10, a door detection unit 4 that detects the closing operation of a door 11 of the vehicle 1, an alarm unit 5 that issues an alarm when the living body detection unit 3 detects the living body H, a drive control unit 5 that performs integrated control of these components, and a communication device 9 carried by a user U. Such a living body detection system 2 starts detection of the living body H upon detecting a detection start trigger, and when detecting the living body H in the vehicle compartment 10, notifies people around the vehicle 1 of that fact via a horn or the like, or notifies the user U via the communication device 9. However, the configuration of the living body detection system 2 is not particularly limited, and for example, the communication device 9 may be omitted. In this case, the configuration may be such that when the living body H in the vehicle compartment 10 is detected, people around the vehicle 1 are notified of that fact. Conversely, the notification to people in the surroundings via a horn or the like may be omitted. In this case, the configuration may be such that when the living body H in the vehicle compartment 10 is detected, the user U is notified via the communication device 9.

[0019] Hereinafter, each unit constituting the living body detection system 2 will be described in order.

[0020] «Communication Device 9» The communication device 9 is carried by user U. The communication device 9 is also capable of communicating with the biometric detection unit 3. In particular, the communication device 9 in this embodiment is a smartphone. Because smartphones have screens, necessary information can be more reliably communicated to user U through screen displays. Furthermore, because smartphones are widely used and user U already owns one, it is easier to construct the biometric detection system 2. However, the communication device 9 is not limited to a smartphone; for example, it may be a wearable device such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, or smart ring, or a tablet device. Alternatively, the communication device 9 may be a smart key for the vehicle 1, an electronic tag, or the like.

[0021] ≪Door detection unit 4≫ The door detection unit 4 is a sensor that detects the closing operation of the doors 11 of the vehicle 1, particularly the driver's side door 11d (the operation of closing the door 11d), that is, that the door 11d has been closed. Normally, the vehicle 1 is also equipped with a sensor that can detect the closing operation of the door 11 in order to warn if the door 11 is not closed (e.g., a partially closed door). Therefore, this sensor can also be used as the door detection unit 4. In this way, by utilizing the sensors that the vehicle 1 already has, the biometric detection system 2 can be constructed at low cost. However, the door detection unit 4 may be provided separately from the above-mentioned sensors.

[0022] <<Biometric detection unit 3>> The biodetection unit 3 is activated when it detects a detection start trigger and detects a living organism H using radar. Since the biodetection unit 3 is powered by the vehicle's battery, it can operate even when the vehicle's engine is stopped. The number of biodetection units 3 placed in the passenger compartment 10 is not limited to one, but may be two or more. The number of biodetection units 3 can be appropriately set according to the size of the passenger compartment 10, the number of seating rows, etc.

[0023] The biodetection unit 3 is a UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) communication device that communicates with the communication device 9, and is used as a UWB radar for detecting biological H. However, the radar used in the biodetection unit 3 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, an FMCW (Continuous Frequency Modulation) radar or a CW (Continuous Wave) radar. Also, the radio waves used for communication with the communication device 9 and the radio waves used for detecting biological H may be different from each other. For example, communication may be performed using UWB communication, and biological H may be detected using an FMCW radar or a CW radar.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the biodetection unit 3 includes a transmitting antenna 31, three receiving antennas 321, 322, and 323, and a control unit 33. Furthermore, the control unit 33 includes a transmitting unit 34, a receiving unit 35, and a determination unit 36. In order to improve biodetection accuracy, at least the transmitting antenna 31 and the receiving antennas 321, 322, and 323 are positioned on the ceiling of the vehicle interior 10. This makes it difficult for obstacles such as seats to be interposed between these antennas and the living body H, so that the radio waves transmitted from the transmitting antenna 31 can easily reach the living body H, and the radio waves reflected by the living body H can easily reach the receiving antennas 321, 322, and 323. As a result, biodetection accuracy is improved. However, the arrangement of the transmitting antenna 31 and the receiving antennas 321, 322, and 323 is not particularly limited.

[0025] The control unit 33 is, for example, a computer and, as shown in Figure 2, has one or more processors 331 that process information and a memory 332 that is communicably connected to the processors 331.

[0026] Furthermore, the processor 331 is an arithmetic unit that performs arithmetic processing such as signal manipulation based on computer-readable instructions such as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), central processing units (CPUs), memory control units (MCUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), state machines, logic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or combinations thereof.

[0027] Furthermore, memory 332 is a computer-readable medium including, for example, volatile storage media (e.g., RAM, SRAM, DRAM), non-volatile storage media (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, hard disk, solid state drive, optical disc, CD-ROM, digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk), or a combination thereof.

[0028] Such a memory 332 is connected to the processor 331 in a communicative manner and stores programs and data that can be executed by the processor 331. The processor 331 reads and executes the programs stored in the memory 332. As a result, the control unit 33 functions as a transmitter 34, a receiver 35, and a determination unit 36.

[0029] The transmitting unit 34 includes a pulse signal generation unit 341 that generates pulse signals, a local oscillator 342, and a multiplier 343. The pulse signal generated by the pulse signal generation unit 341 is multiplied with the local oscillator signal emitted from the local oscillator 342 by the multiplier 343, thereby modulating (upconverting) it to a predetermined frequency band, for example, a short wavelength of about 6.0 GHz to 8.5 GHz. The pulse signal upconverted by the multiplier 343 is then amplified by a power amplifier PA and transmitted from the transmitting antenna 31 as a pulsed radio wave (pulse wave). Hereinafter, the radio wave transmitted from the transmitting antenna 31 will also be referred to as the transmitted wave Tw.

[0030] Receiving antennas 321, 322, and 323 each receive the reflected wave Rw that is formed when the transmitted wave Tw is reflected by an object such as a living organism H.

[0031] The receiving unit 35 includes multipliers 351 and 352, a π / 2 shifter 353, and an RF switch 354. The multipliers 351 and 352 are connected to the receiving antennas 321, 322, and 323 via the RF switch 354. The RF switch 354 periodically switches between a state where receiving antenna 321 is connected to multipliers 351 and 352, a state where receiving antenna 322 is connected to multipliers 351 and 352, and a state where receiving antenna 323 is connected to multipliers 351 and 352. The reflected waves Rw received by receiving antennas 321, 322, and 323 are sequentially introduced to the multipliers 351 and 352 via a low-noise amplifier LNA in accordance with the switching cycle of the RF switch 354.

[0032] The local oscillator signal is input to multiplier 351. Therefore, in multiplier 351, the reflected wave Rw is demodulated (down-converted) so that it is in phase with the local oscillator signal, and the in-phase component signal Si (I component) is derived. On the other hand, the local oscillator signal that has been phase-shifted by the π / 2 shifter 353 is input to multiplier 352. Therefore, in multiplier 352, the reflected wave Rw is demodulated (down-converted) so that it is in phase orthogonal to the local oscillator signal, and the orthogonal-phase component signal Sq (Q component) is derived.

[0033] Furthermore, the in-phase component signal Si and the quadrature-phase component signal Sq are input to the determination unit 36 ​​via a low-pass filter (LPF), a variable gain amplifier (VGA), and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), respectively.

[0034] The determination unit 36 ​​detects biological H within the detection area based on the in-phase component signal Si and the quadrature phase component signal Sq. First, the determination unit 36 ​​generates a received signal based on the in-phase component signal Si and the quadrature phase component signal Sq input from the receiving unit 35. Specifically, each time a transmission wave Tw (pulse wave) is transmitted from the transmitting antenna 31, the determination unit 36 ​​generates the in-phase component signal Si and the quadrature phase component signal Sq, and stores the generated in-phase component signal Si and quadrature phase component signal Sq as a received signal, which is a complex received signal. The determination unit 36 ​​further acquires a time-series signal for each detection distance by repeating the storage of this received signal a predetermined number of times.

[0035] The determination unit 36 ​​then detects the presence or absence of a living organism H within the detection area of ​​the biological detection unit 3 based on the time-series signal corresponding to the reflected wave Rw received by the receiving antenna 321, the time-series signal corresponding to the reflected wave Rw received by the receiving antenna 322, and the time-series signal corresponding to the reflected wave Rw received by the receiving antenna 323, and further identifies the position of the detected living organism H. In this way, by using three time-series signals generated from reflected waves Rw with different paths, the distance and angle between the biological detection unit 3 and the living organism H can be detected, for example, using AoA (Angle of Arrival), so that not only the presence or absence of living organism H but also its position can be identified. Therefore, it is possible to determine with higher accuracy whether the detected living organism H is inside or outside the vehicle compartment 10. Thus, false detection of living organism H outside the vehicle compartment 10 can be effectively suppressed. The position of living organism H may be in three-dimensional coordinates or in two-dimensional coordinates with a fixed height direction.

[0036] To explain in more detail the determination of the presence or absence of a living organism (H), the determination unit 36 ​​has a threshold D for the biological detection level L obtained from the time-series signal. As shown in Figure 3, if the biological detection level L is less than or equal to the threshold D, it is determined that no living organism (H) is present. Conversely, as shown in Figure 4, if the biological detection level L exceeds the threshold D, it is determined that a living organism (H) is present. The biological detection level L is an indicator that shows a large value when a living organism (H) is present, and can be defined, for example, as the power of the human respiratory frequency band (0.1 Hz to 1.0 Hz) included in the time-series signal. Such a biological detection level L can be obtained, for example, by performing a frequency analysis of the respiratory frequency band on the time-series signal using an analysis method such as FFT (Fast Fourier Transform).

[0037] The biodetection unit 3 has been described above. However, the configuration of the biodetection unit 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect living organisms H inside the vehicle compartment 10. For example, the number of receiving antennas is not particularly limited and may be two or fewer or four or more. Similarly, the number of transmitting antennas is not particularly limited and may be two or more. Furthermore, a configuration that detects living organisms H using a mechanism or principle different from that of this embodiment is also possible.

[0038] ≪Information Unit 5≫ When the biometric detection unit 3 detects a living person H inside the vehicle compartment 10, the alarm unit 5 alerts people in the vicinity and the user U to that fact (that a living person H has been left behind inside the vehicle compartment 10). The method of alerting people in the vicinity is not particularly limited, but examples include flashing lights on various parts of the vehicle 1 or sounding the horn. Alternatively, for example, the alarm unit 5 may emit an alarm sound from a speaker or the like. On the other hand, the method of alerting the user U is not particularly limited, but for example, communication with the communication device 9 may be used to display the message "A living person H has been left behind inside the vehicle compartment 10" on the screen of the communication device 9 along with an incoming call sound or vibration. When using the biometric detection system 2, a dedicated application (application program) may be installed on the communication device 9 in advance, and notifications may be made using this application. In this way, the convenience of the biometric detection system 2 is further improved by using a dedicated application.

[0039] <Drive Control Unit 6> The drive control unit 6 provides overall control over the driving of the aforementioned biometric detection unit 3, door detection unit 4, and alarm unit 5. Before explaining the control by the drive control unit 6, let's briefly explain the problems with the conventional system. As already explained, as shown in Figure 5, if there is luggage B (non-living thing) in the passenger compartment 10 that is relatively prone to shaking and whose shaking continues for a relatively long time, the impact when user U closes the door 11d when getting out of the vehicle may cause luggage B to vibrate, and this vibration may continue for some time after the door 11d is closed. In such a case, if the biometric detection unit 3 starts detecting living being H immediately after the door 11d is closed, and the vibration frequency of luggage B is close to the aforementioned respiratory frequency band, as shown in Figure 6, the biometric detection level L may exceed the threshold D, leading to a false detection of luggage B as living being H, and potentially a false alarm. Such false alarms can be annoying for user U and cause trouble for people around the vehicle 1. Therefore, usability (convenience) is reduced.

[0040] Therefore, the drive control unit 6 performs control to suppress such false alarms and improve the usability of the biometric detection system 2. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the drive control unit 6 does not issue an alarm from the alarm unit 5 within a predetermined time ΔT from the time T1 (the time T1 when the door detection unit 4 detects the closing operation of the door 11d) until the alarm unit 5 is detected after the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed, and only issues an alarm from the alarm unit 5 if a biological body H is detected. With this configuration, even if the impact of closing the door 11d causes vibration in the luggage B inside the vehicle compartment 10, the vibration of luggage B can be sufficiently reduced within the predetermined time ΔT. Therefore, by the time the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed, there is a high probability that the vibration of luggage B has been sufficiently reduced (to the extent that the biometric detection level L < threshold D), making it difficult to falsely detect luggage B as a biological body H. Thus, false detections and false alarms can be effectively suppressed, resulting in a biometric detection system 2 with high usability.

[0041] There are no particular limitations on the method for preventing the alarm unit 5 from issuing an alarm until a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from time T1. In this embodiment, the drive control unit 6 does not detect the biological body H in the biological detection unit 3 until a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from time T1, and starts detecting the biological body H in the biological detection unit 3 after the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed. In this way, if detection of the biological body H is not started within the predetermined time ΔT, then naturally, the alarm unit 5 will not issue an alarm within the predetermined time ΔT. With this method, alarms can be prevented within the predetermined time ΔT with simple control. Furthermore, by starting detection of the biological body H in the biological detection unit 3 after the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed, biological detection can be started quickly after the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed. Therefore, the reliability of the biological detection system 2 is increased.

[0042] Not detecting biological H means, for example, not transmitting the transmission wave Tw from the transmitting antenna 31, transmitting the transmission wave Tw from the transmitting antenna 31 but not generating in-phase component signals Si or quadrature phase component signals Sq from the reflected wave Rw, or generating up to the biological detection level but not determining the presence or absence of biological H by comparing the biological detection level with the threshold D. In this embodiment, the transmission wave Tw is not transmitted. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the biological detection unit 3.

[0043] Furthermore, the predetermined time ΔT is not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, 5 seconds or more and 12 seconds or less. In particular, in this embodiment, the predetermined time ΔT is set to 10 seconds. With such a configuration, the predetermined time ΔT can be sufficiently long, and the vibration of luggage B can be sufficiently reduced during that time. Here, the guidelines for the unattended luggage prevention system recommend that notification to the user U be completed within 15 seconds from the time Ts when the detection start trigger is detected. Also, in order to detect a living organism H with sufficient accuracy, it is considered that at least a detection period (time from the start of biological detection to the end of biological detection) of about 5 seconds is necessary, taking into account the respiratory frequency. For this reason, by setting the predetermined time ΔT to 10 seconds and the time for detecting the living organism H to 5 seconds, the detection of the living organism H can be completed within 15 seconds from time Ts. In addition, within the range in which the above guidelines can be complied with, the predetermined time ΔT can be secured as long as possible, and false detections can be suppressed more reliably.

[0044] The drive control unit 6 has been described above, but such a drive control unit 6 is, for example, composed of a computer and includes one or more processors 61 that process information, and a memory 62 that is communicatively connected to the processors 61.

[0045] Furthermore, the processor 61 is an arithmetic unit that performs arithmetic processing such as signal manipulation based on computer-readable instructions such as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), central processing units (CPUs), memory control units (MCUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), state machines, logic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or combinations thereof.

[0046] Furthermore, memory 62 is a computer-readable medium including, for example, volatile storage media (e.g., RAM, SRAM, DRAM), non-volatile storage media (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, hard disk, solid state drive, optical disc, CD-ROM, digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk), or a combination thereof.

[0047] Such a memory 62 is connected to the processor 61 in a communicative manner, and stores programs and data that can be executed by the processor 61. The processor 61 reads and executes the programs stored in the memory 62, thereby functioning as a drive control unit 6.

[0048] The configuration of the biodetection system 2 has been described above. Next, the biodetection method using the biodetection system 2 will be explained based on the flowchart shown in Figure 8.

[0049] First, in step S101, the biometric detection system 2 waits for the biometric detection unit 3 to be activated until a detection start trigger occurs. The detection start trigger is the locking of the vehicle 1. This allows the biometric detection system 2 to be activated at the same time that user U attempts to leave the vehicle 1, enabling rapid detection of the biological organism H. In this embodiment, in addition to the locking of the vehicle 1, the detection start trigger also occurs periodically at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 10 minutes) from the time the vehicle is stopped. With this configuration, the system can respond appropriately even if user U leaves the vehicle 1 without locking it. Furthermore, by periodically detecting the biological organism H, it is possible to more effectively suppress the chances of missing the biological organism H. The time the vehicle is stopped is, for example, the time the engine is turned off.

[0050] Then, when a detection start trigger occurs, the biometric detection system 2 activates the biometric detection unit 3 as step S102. Next, as step S103, the biometric detection system 2 obtains the time T1 when the door 11d of the vehicle 1 was closed from the door detection unit 4. Next, as step S104, the biometric detection system 2 determines whether a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed since time T1. If the predetermined time ΔT has not elapsed since time T1, step S104 is repeated until the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed since time T1.

[0051] Conversely, if a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from time T1, the biodetection system 2 starts detecting a living organism H as step S105. That is, it acquires the biodetection level L after the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed and determines the presence or absence of a living organism H in the vehicle compartment 10 by comparing it with a threshold D. If the biodetection unit 3 detects a living organism H, the biodetection system 2 enters a standby state as step S106, after the alarm unit 5 issues an alarm stating that "a living organism H has been left behind." Conversely, if the biodetection unit 3 does not detect a living organism H, the biodetection system 2 enters a standby state as standby without the alarm unit 5 issuing an alarm.

[0052] With this method, even if the luggage B inside the vehicle compartment 10 vibrates due to the impact of the closing operation, the vibration of luggage B can be reduced, preferably stopped, within a predetermined time ΔT. Therefore, by the time the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed and the biological detection unit 3 begins detecting the biological body H, the vibration of luggage B has been sufficiently reduced, making it difficult to mistakenly detect luggage B as a biological body H. Thus, false detection and false alarms of biological body H can be effectively suppressed.

[0053] The biometric detection system 2 has been described above. As mentioned above, this biometric detection system 2 is a biometric detection system that detects a living person H in the passenger compartment 10 of a vehicle 1, and comprises a biometric detection unit 3 that detects a living person H in the passenger compartment 10, an alarm unit 5 that emits an alarm when the biometric detection unit 3 detects a living person H, and a door detection unit 4 that detects the closing operation of the door 11 of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, within a predetermined time ΔT from the time T1 when the door detection unit 4 detects the closing operation, the alarm unit 5 will not emit an alarm even if a living person H is detected. With this configuration, even if luggage B in the passenger compartment 10 vibrates due to the impact of the closing operation, the vibration of luggage B can be reduced, preferably stopped, within the predetermined time ΔT. Therefore, by the time the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed and the alarm unit 5 is permitted to emit an alarm, the vibration of luggage B will have decreased sufficiently, making it difficult to mistakenly detect luggage B as a living person H. Thus, false detections and false alarms can be effectively suppressed, resulting in a biometric detection system 2 with high usability.

[0054] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in the biological detection system 2, the biological detection unit 3 starts detecting the biological body H after a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent alarm activation within the predetermined time ΔT with simple control.

[0055] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the predetermined time ΔT is between 5 seconds and 12 seconds. With this configuration, a sufficiently long predetermined time ΔT can be ensured, and during that time, the vibration of cargo B can be sufficiently reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the biodetection method using the biodetection system 2 is a biodetection method for detecting a living being H inside the passenger compartment 10 of the vehicle 1, and does not issue an alarm even if a living being H is detected within a predetermined time ΔT from the time T1 when the closing operation of the door 11 of the vehicle 1 is detected. With this method, even if luggage B inside the passenger compartment 10 vibrates due to the impact of the closing operation, the vibration of luggage B can be reduced, preferably stopped, within the predetermined time ΔT. Therefore, by the time the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed and the alarm is permitted to be issued by the alarm unit 5, the vibration of luggage B has been sufficiently reduced (below the level at which false detection occurs), making it difficult to falsely detect luggage B as a living being H. Thus, false detection and false alarms can be effectively suppressed, resulting in a biodetection system 2 with high usability.

[0057] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in the biological detection method, detection of the biological body H begins after a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed. With this method, it is possible to prevent the alarm unit 5 from activating within the predetermined time ΔT with simple control and reliably.

[0058] <Second Embodiment> Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the biodetection method of the biodetection system according to the second embodiment.

[0059] The biodetection system 2 of this embodiment is the same as the biodetection system 2 of the first embodiment described above, except for the control method. Therefore, in the following description, this embodiment will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and similar matters will be omitted from the explanation. Also, in the figures of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in the previously described embodiment.

[0060] In the biological detection system 2 of this embodiment, the method of not issuing an alarm at the alarm unit 5 until a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from time T1 differs from that of the first embodiment described above. Specifically, in this embodiment, the drive control unit 6 promptly starts detecting a biological being H at the biological detection unit 3 after the detection start trigger occurs, regardless of whether the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from time T1 or not. When the biological detection unit 3 detects a biological being H, the drive control unit 6 determines whether the detection time T2 is before or after the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from time T1. If it is before (within the predetermined time ΔT), the alarm unit 5 does not issue an alarm; if it is after, the alarm unit 5 issues an alarm. With this method, it is possible to prevent the alarm unit 5 from issuing an alarm within the predetermined time ΔT with simple control and reliably.

[0061] The configuration of the biodetection system 2 has been described above. Next, the biodetection method using the biodetection system 2 will be explained based on the flowchart shown in Figure 9.

[0062] First, in step S201, the biodetection system 2 waits for the biodetection unit 3 to be activated until a detection start trigger occurs. Then, in step S202, the biodetection system 2 activates the biodetection unit 3 and begins detecting the biological organism H with the biodetection unit 3.

[0063] If a living organism H is detected, the biological detection system 2, in step S203, determines whether the time T2 at which the living organism was detected is within a predetermined time ΔT, that is, whether time T2 is before the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from time T1. If time T2 is within the predetermined time ΔT, that is, before the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed, the biological detection system 2 returns to step S202 and continues detecting the living organism H without issuing an alarm from the alarm unit 5 that a living organism H has been detected. On the other hand, if time T2 is outside the predetermined time ΔT, that is, after the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed, the biological detection system 2, in step S204, issues an alarm from the alarm unit 5 that a living organism H has been detected, and then enters a waiting state for startup.

[0064] As described above, in the biological detection system 2 of this embodiment, the biological detection unit 3 starts detecting a living organism H regardless of whether a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from time T1. If the time T2 at which the biological detection unit 3 detects the living organism H is within the predetermined time ΔT, the alarm unit 5 does not issue an alarm. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent alarms from being issued within the predetermined time ΔT with simple control.

[0065] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in the biodetection method using the biodetection system 2, detection of a living organism H is initiated regardless of whether a predetermined time ΔT has elapsed from time T1. If the time T2 at which the biodetection unit 3 detects the living organism H is within the predetermined time ΔT, the alarm unit 5 does not issue an alarm. With this method, it is possible to prevent alarms from being issued within the predetermined time ΔT with simple control.

[0066] This second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0067] Although the biodetection system and biodetection method of the present invention have been described above based on the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the configurations and steps of each part can be replaced with any configuration or step having a similar function. Furthermore, other arbitrary configurations and steps may be added to the present invention. In addition, each embodiment can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1...Vehicle, 10...Car compartment, 11...Door, 11d...Door, 2...Biometric detection system, 3...Biometric detection unit, 31...Transmitting antenna, 321...Receiving antenna, 322...Receiving antenna, 323...Receiving antenna, 33...Control unit, 331...Processor, 332...Memory, 34...Transmitting unit, 341...Pulse signal generation unit, 342...Local oscillator, 343...Multiplier, 35...Receiving unit, 351...Multiplier, 352...Multiplier, 353...π / 2 Shifter, 354...RF switch, 36...Determination unit, 4...Door detection unit, 5...Alarm unit, 6...Drive control unit, 61...Processor, 62...Memory, 9...Communication device, B...Luggage, D...Threshold, H...Biological, Rw...Reflected wave, S101~S106...Step, S201~S204...Step, Si...In-phase component signal, Sq...Quaternary phase component signal, T1...Time, T2...Detection time, Tw...Transmitted wave, U...User, ΔT...Determined time

Claims

1. A biometric detection system for detecting living organisms inside a vehicle's interior, A biodetection unit for detecting the living body inside the vehicle interior, An alarm unit that emits an alarm when the biological detection unit detects the biological body, It has a door detection unit that detects the closing operation of the vehicle's door, A biological detection system characterized in that, within a predetermined time period from the time the door detection unit detects the closing operation, the alarm unit does not issue an alarm even if a biological body is detected.

2. The biological detection system according to claim 1, wherein the biological detection unit starts detecting the biological body after the predetermined time has elapsed.

3. Regardless of whether the predetermined time has elapsed, the biological detection unit starts detecting the biological body. The biological detection system according to claim 1, wherein if the time at which the biological detection unit detects the biological body is within the predetermined time, the alarm unit does not make an alarm.

4. A biodetection method for detecting living organisms inside a vehicle's interior, A method for detecting a living being, characterized in that no alarm is triggered even if a living being is detected within a predetermined time period from the time when the closing action of the vehicle door is detected.

5. The biological detection method according to claim 4, wherein the detection of the biological body is started after the predetermined time has elapsed.

6. Regardless of whether the predetermined time has elapsed, the detection of the living organism is initiated. The biological detection method according to claim 4, wherein if the time at which the biological body is detected is within the predetermined time, the alarm is not issued.

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